EPMO Manager - Wellington
Te tūnga | The role
We have an exciting full-time permanent opportunity for a talented and highly experienced individual to join the PHF Science whanau and lead our Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO). This is a senior role within New Zealand’s public research organisation responsible for providing the critical science infrastructure for public health and forensics.
As the EPMO Manager, you’ll be accountable for the overall leadership, management and strategic direction of the EPMO. The EPMO oversees both the project delivery and the portfolio management frameworks at PHF Science and acts as a support services function to enable science research (project delivery) and strategy execution (portfolio management) at PHF Science.
You will lead a team of project managers and work closely with senior leadership to ensure that projects are aligned with business goals, delivered on time, within scope and on budget.
We are open to receiving applications from across Aotearoa New Zealand, and the role can be based in either Tāmaki Makaurau, Pōneke or Ōtautahi.
Kia angitu koe | About you
To be successful in this role, you will have the following:
At least ten years' experience managing and leading teams and delivering complex enterprise-wide programmes.
Proven experience in creating and leading high performing teams.
Proven experience in implementing portfolio management to support strategy execution.
Proven ability to support, influence and work across organisational teams for maximum effect in achieving objectives and outcomes.
A tertiary qualification in Project Management and a Bachelor's degree in Business Management or a related field
Ngā painga | The benefits
Flexible working options to support balancing work and non-work commitments.
Four weeks annual leave, plus two additional annual leave days and three additional ESR days (usually the three days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve)
15 days sick leave & Service leave provisions after five years
Annual volunteer day to support an organisation or issue you care about in the community.
Free annual flu vaccinations
Life insurance and physical loss benefit
Subsidised Southern Cross insurance & access to special retail discounts.
Access to Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a confidential and free counselling service.
Mō mātou | About Us
PHF Science (formerly ESR) is a New Zealand Public Research Organisation (PRO) dedicated to the health, safety and wellbeing of our communities.
We provide expert leadership, research and science services to enhance our public health and justice systems, and power innovations and solutions to help New Zealand prosper and grow.
With four locations across Aotearoa New Zealand from Auckland to Christchurch and Wellington (Kenepuru and Wallaceville), our work means New Zealanders can feel confident that disease outbreaks and environmental risks to health are monitored and managed, and the impact of drug harm in the community is reduced and we live in a society where justice is supported by trustworthy evidence.
We are an accredited Living Wage employer and value our people, providing excellent environment for fostering and developing our people in a values-driven, flexible and ever-evolving landscape. We are committed to sustainability and are proud to have received our Toitū Carbonreduce Certification.
Tono mai | Apply Now
We encourage applications from those with an understanding of or a willingness to develop their capability in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, tikanga Māori, and/or te reo Māori.
If you would like a full copy of the position description, please email recruitment@phfscience.nz.
Applications close at 11:59pm on Sunday 21 December 2025.
Click apply to submit your application. Please ensure you upload a cover letter and CV, outlining your interest and relevant skills for this opportunity.
We will be in touch later in January 2026 after all applications have been reviewed.
PHF Science is an equal opportunity employer and committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. Your unique talents and experience will help us deliver exceptional services to New Zealand. We look forward to your application.
If you don't meet every requirement in this position description, please don't exclude yourself. Studies indicate that women and other individuals from under-represented groups often only apply when they satisfy all the criteria. We focus on recruiting individuals who share our core values of Mahi Rangatira (Our quality counts), Mahi tahi (our team spirit), Mahi Auaha (we push boundaries), Mahi Pono (we do the right thing). If these values resonate with you, we encourage you to submit your application.
PHF Science is committed to developing a diverse, inclusive, equitable workplace where people feel they belong. We believe this is the right thing to do, but we also believe it is a worthwhile commitment that makes our organisation stronger and more capable through building on our diversity of thinking, enabling us to better understand the needs of our stakeholders and people and respond effectively to them. An inclusive environment means the diverse perspectives we have are more likely to be expressed, heard, and acted on.
Please note the successful applicant will be required to complete a pre-employment drug-screen and police records check as conditions of employment.
Applications Close: 22 December 2025
PHF Science (formerly ESR)
We are New Zealand’s Crown Research Institute specialising in science for communities.
We use world-leading science to safeguard our health, keep our communities safer, protect our food-based economy, and improve the health of our water and natural environment.
Keeping people safe and healthy through science is our focus and our staff bring a wealth of different experience and backgrounds to deliver this expertise.
If you have the skills, initiative and commitment for protecting people through science, we’d like to hear from you.
